The Republican journal., 1887-07-28
Pussy.

I1lE BEST OF HOI SEIIOID PETS-MANY KINDS
OF CATS.
The most diynified of animals, the cat, is also
one of the most sensitive. 1t is capable of
passing through life in the house a shy, silent
shadow, requiring no sympathy, showing no
emotions, becoming attached to no one; but in
the sunshine of love and kindness it expands
into totally different being, warm friend
and most intelligent companion, even, as
science assures us. having more brains than a
dog. AS an individual it is an interesting
study, no race of animals showing more pro-
nounccd characteristics OF more decided tastes.
Contrary to the usual notion, cats will learn
almost anything under kind and gentle treat
mcnt. As well As dog, cat will ''beg,"
dance. shake hands. walk on the hind feet,
ring 4 bell. wipe the feet, and. more than a
dog, vii! stand up and catch in the paws any
thing thrown to it. Moreover, even with the
little attention that has been paid to their
training, eats have frequently acted as re-
trievers. But to an enemy the cat Is emphati-
cally sealed book.
Many varieties of the feline race are dOmes-
tcated among us from the tailless, unnatural
looking cat of Japan, which makes constant
war Oil the tails Of more fortunate neighbors,
the lop-earcd puss OF China. and the Stif-hair-
ed one of Africa. through all our own familiar
sorts TO the much-priled AnSora, and lastly
the Persian. truly the queen of the tribe.
In a charming house in the upper part of
New York reigns one of this family. She
lacks none of the wcll-ticfined points" of the
pure Persian. and is called Nashii, partly from
her iuecny beauty. and partly, as her mistress
owns, because she does not come when she is
callcd.''
This beauty is of an exquisite maltese color.
with long silky hair and topaz eyes. A full
ruiz around her neck and feathcrcd ears and
toes testify to her pure blood.
.DI-NDpE,pS wu,SEEps'
and 4 tail like a banner complete her charms.
and in this description are noted the ,i>tinc-
tons of her breed. Not all Per>ianS are of her
color; there are several varieties, the preferable
beings pure white with yellow eyes. Persians
possess ali the eat virtues. including Il gentle
disposition, in which latter quality they excel
the An@or;,, their rival i'll popularity.
The Angora (or AEgola) is Il eat of supcrlly
digniilcd manners, but its long hair, being
closely curlcd, Is extremely hard to keep in
nice order. needing. in fact. frequent washing.
1t IS supposdt to be descended from the Siberian
Wildcat and its cries are said to be even more
unciyHed and weird than the unknown
tongue in which ordinary pu>>irs exchange
opinions on the back fence. Either of these
cats is Il beautiful creature. though not 50 in
teigent a> the short-hared kinds. Pcrsians
are often imported, but there are places in New
York where the kittens may lie sometimes
procured at Il moderate price.
OF The short-halred cats perhaps the greatest
favorite is white with blue eyes. If to these
attractions are added tufted ears, the animal
ranks high, and is considered worthy of a
rlhbon collar and silk ta>Scl> Oh the tips of the
ears. The points especially desired are perfect
whtcne>s without colorcd hair. both eyes of
the same hue. good hearing for some are deaf.
and manners not too Ian guild. 1t must be said
that cat Of this sort. though a1lectonate and
exceedingly ornamental in room. is not the
most knowing Of its family. To be Il thing Of
beauty Is quite satisfactory to the high bred
creature.
Next in favor i, the Maltese. sometimes call
ed the blue, and to i've perfect it should be of Il
rich. dark shade. free from hint or suspicion of
any other hue. Ampcr-colored eyes, and lips
and >ole> Of black. are equally Indispensable
To these qualities the Maltese adds good tenn
per and brightness.
The most tiactabIe of its race is said by some
people 10 be the black eat. 1t is certainly the
best lnou>er. having sight and hearing of re-
markablc keenne5>. 10 be perfect it should
not shows white hair the eyes should be ha
zel or brown, and the fur glossy.
i pure tortoise shell is not often seen. 1t
should lie Of distinct markings in black and
deep orange yellow-or, in dealers, language,
rcd-Without a hair OF white In character it
is brave and somewhat independent of ones
affection. 1t is a graceful and >trikingly hand
some creature.
OF THE FAMILIAR Tables
the most attractive to the eye is the silver OF
blue tabby, with coat blush or silver gray
with stripes of black. Rather small. graceful
and quick in movement. it is one of the most
pleasing of the family.
The brown tahby. although one of the most
common. i, yet distinguished for intelligence
This is the animal most easily trained, of which
the best stories are told. and which most fire.
quentiv figures as a .'trirk cats 1t is honest
faithful and fond of children 1t is striped
brown and black, and should have no white.
The treatment of this delightful pet is worthy
a word. for no domestic animal is so Systemat-
icaliy neglected pussy. 1t would hardly
seem necessary 10 say that an animal must he
regularly fed. Yet many otherwise kind mistress
>e> have a notion that 4 cat can ''pick up
enough to eat and thus actually train the poor
creature to be thief. for the moment it ''picl,s
up anything that is wanted by others ii is so
branded. Let 10 one accept that outrageous
f;acH that Il eat must be kept hungry if She is
needed TO catch mice. Like many old savings
this is exactly opposite the truth, for a half
starved cat has not spirit to catch anything,
while Il well fed one accepts that duty as sport.
The cat should have good bed in comfort
able place. and never he turned out of doors
for the night. unless one wishes TO develop "A
thief and ya@abond.
To make this pet altogether happy it should
have now and then a little catnip, and be treat
cd occasionally to an acorn-sized scrap Of but
ter; also when asparagus is served Hit should
always be offered to plIS>. A fit may be instant
ly relieved by ether held to the nose Never,
never should cat be left to shirk for itself
durin" the summer absence of a family 1t is
Il common and most cruel outrage. and if not
starved or lost. the eat Will be hopelc>>lv cor
ruptcd by the va@ramt life forced upon il,